“Ballon d’Or 2026: Pogba and Lingard Reveal Their Top Contender for the Coveted Prize!”

Former Manchester United athletes, Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba assert that Bruno Fernandes merits recognition for the Ballon d’Or this year.

Lingard also honored his previous teammate, praising Fernandes for his accessibility during their collaboration from 2020 to 2022.

Following the termination of Ruben Amorim, Manchester United has exhibited notable enhancement and currently occupies third place in the Premier League with 58 points from 33 fixtures.

Fernandes has played a crucial role in Manchester United’s revival, delivering eight goals and 19 assists in 32 matches across all tournaments.

At 31 years of age, he is merely two assists away from equaling the record for the most assists in a single Premier League season (20), a record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Despite Manchester United not participating in European competitions this season and facing difficulties in other tournaments, Lingard and Pogba insist that Fernandes ought to be contemplated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Lingard stated to BBC Sport, “His displays at Manchester United this season have been remarkable. He has to be amongst the top.”

Though Fernandes has had an exceptional individual season, it appears improbable that he will clinch the Ballon d’Or this year.

Players like Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Lamine Yamal, and Kylian Mbappe seem to be ahead in the standings due to their achievements this season.

Nonetheless, Pogba argues that Fernandes would be a formidable candidate for the Ballon d’Or if he were playing for Manchester City.

The Frenchman conveyed to Rio Ferdinand (via BBC Sport), “Bruno Fernandes, in other top clubs, is in the top three for the Ballon d’Or. Do you think Bruno, if he’s in the other team, isn’t in the top three, a Ballon d’Or player? If he’s with [Manchester] City, he’s definitely in the Ballon d’Or.”

“He’s omnipresent on the field. He has stamina. He keeps sprinting. He’s clever. He can execute plays with two touches, one touch. He can score.

“When you don’t triumph, we don’t reflect on your performance.